Device for wiring fence-pickets



, 2- Sheets-Sheet 1 D. HERSHBERGER. DEVICE FOR WIRING PBNUE. PIGKETS..

(No Model.)

No. 424,884. Patented Apr. 1, 1890.

Win 88m. ,1 m mwz'o N. PETERS, Phoiolithggnphen Washington, D. C.

(No Model.) 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 2'. D. HERSHBERGER. 4 DEVIOE FOR WIRING FENCE PIGKETS.

No. 424,884. Patented Apr. 1. 189 0.

N. Puma mmmr n m Wnhinltom mic UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC DANIEL HERSHBERGER, OF HUNTINGTON, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JACOB ULRICH, OF RIVER, INDIANA.

DEVICE FOR WIRING FENCE-PICKETS.

QPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,884, dated April 1, 1890.

Application filed December 30, 1889. Serial No. 335,333. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DANIEL HERSHBERGER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Huntington, in the county of Huntington and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for \Viring Fence-Pickets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact (lescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for wiring fence-pickets, whereby, after the pickets are insert-ed between the strands of wire, the latter are crossed, so as to hold them securely in place.

The object of the invention is to provide an instrument or device for crossing or weaving the wire of the strands, which shall be economical in manufacture, durable and effective in use, and which can also be readily transported from place to place.

The invention consists in the combination, with two weaving-bars connected together by pivoted links and each provided with a series of hooked arms for engaging with the wire strands, of a curved lever fulcrumed to a bar secured to one of the weaving-bars and having its short or curved arm pivoted to a bar secured to the other weaving-bar, substantially as hereinafter described.

The invention also consists in the combination, with the two weaving-bars connected together by pivoted links, the hooked arms on said bars, and the curved lever fulcrumed to a bar secured to one of the Weaving-bars and having its curved arm pivoted'to a bar secured to the other weaving-bar, of the arm secured to one of the weaving-bars and engaging with one of the wire strands to prevent the implement from turning, substantially as hereinafter described.

The invention also consists in the combination, with the two weaving-bars connected together by pivoted links, the hooked arms secured to said bars, and the curved lever fulcrumed to a bar secured to one of the weaving-bars, and its curved end pivoted to a bar secured to the other weaving-bar, of the tension device consisting of three slats, between which the wire strands pass and are held, screw-bolts connecting and securing the slats, and binding screw-nuts for regulating the tension, substantially as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fence in the process of' construction, with my improved deviceapplied thereto ready to cross or weave the wires for holding the picket in place. Fig. 2 is an end view of the device, showing it in position to be operated by the lever to cross or weave the wires. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the device after the lever has been operated to weave the wires and in position to again cross the wires by a reverse movement of the lever. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the holdingarm for preventing the device from turning or being displaced while in operation.

In the said drawings, the reference-numeral 1 designates the fence-posts, which are set at regular intervals in the ground as usual. They may be of any suitable construction, and may be placed at such distances apart as may be found most convenient and desirable.

The numerals 2 2 designate the wires or strands. As shown in the drawings, there are three sets of wires or strands-that is to say, one set each at the top and bottom and one intermediate thereof-although it is obvious that any number found convenient may be used. Each set of wires is composed of two parallel strands, distant from each other, about equal to the thickness of a picket. These strands are secured to the fence-post by the ordinary staples or other fastenings.

The tension device consists of three wooden slats or strips 3, having apertures therein corresponding in number to the set of wires used. In these apertures are inserted headed screwbolts 4, upon which fit the adjusting screwnuts 5, by turning which the strips may be brought closer together or farther apart, thus regulating the tension of the wires which pass therebetween. The tension device may be secured to one of the fence-posts by bolts passing through one of the strips, or it may be fastened thereto by ropes or wires; or it may be secured in any suitable manner to stakes driven in the ground, or in any other manner found convenient, so long as it is immovably held in an upright position in line with the fence being constructed, as seen in Fig. 1.

The weaving device consists of two vertical weaving-bars 6 and '7, connected together by the links 8, which are pivoted, respectively, to said bars at 9.

1O 10 designate a series or number of arms rigidly secured on the bars 6 7 at one end, and having their free ends formedinto hooks 11 to engage with the wires or strands. These arms should equal in number the number of wires used, and the hooks are so formed that while the wires may be readily engaged with and disengaged from the same when desired they are not liable to become accidentally displaced. It will also be seen that all the hooks on the arms of one bar point in one direction, while those of the other bar point in the opposite direction. 12 designates a projecting arm secured to one of the weaving-bars, and in the free end thereof is fulcrumed the lever 13, the short arm 1i of which is curved, as shown, while the long arm 15 forms the handle by which it is operated. The curved arm 1& is pivoted to an arm 16, secured to and projecting from the other weaving-bar. l7 designates an arm secured to one of the weaving-bars, and is connected with one of the wire strands, so as to prevent the turning or displacement of the device.

The operation is as follows: The wires are secured to the first fence-post in any manner found convenient, and are carried to the tension device, which is usually located behind the last post. A picket is then placed between the wires of each set in a vertical position. The weaving device is then brought into operation, the hooked arms on one of the bars engaging with one of the wires of each set, while the hooks of the other arms engage the other wires or strands. The lever is then operated, causing the bars to slide or move past each other in opposite directions, causing the hooked arms to be correspondingly moved. This movement causes the wires to cross each other close up to the picket, and the latter is firmly held in place. Another picket is now inserted, and a reverse movement of the lever causes another crossing of the wires, and the operation is thus continued until the fence is completed. If at any time during the operation the tension of the wires should be too great it can be readily lessened by simply loosening the adj usting-nuts on the bolts, which connect the slats composing the tension device, and in like mannerif the tension should not be sufficient it can be regulated by tightening said nuts.

From the above it will be seen that by my invention the pickets can be readily wired, and that the.device does not require the employment of skilled labor to operate it. It is substantial and durable, and may be made at comparatively small cost and is not liable to get out of order or become injured by ordinary use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 12 In .a fence-machine, the combination, with two weaving-bars connected together by pivoted links and each provided with a series of hooked arms for engaging the wires or strands, of a curved lever fulerumed to a bar secured to one of the weaving-bars and having its short or curved arm pivoted to an arm secured to the other weaving-bar, substantially as described.

2. In a fence-machine, the combination, with two weaving-bars connected together by pivoted links, the hooked arms on said bars, and the curved lever fulcrumed to a bar socured to one of the weaving-bars and having its curved arm pivoted to a bar secured to the other weaving-bar, of the holding-arm secured to one of the bars and engaging with one of the wire strands to prevent the implement from turning, substantially as described.

3. In a fence-machine, the combination, with the two weaving-bars connected together by pivoted links, the hooked arms secured to said bars, and the curved lever fulcrumed to a bar secured to one of the weaving-bars and its curved end pivoted to a bar secured to the other weaving-bar, of the tension device consisting of three slats between which the wire strands pass and are held, and means whereby said slats may be brought closer together or separated, substantially as described.

it. In a fence-machine, the combination, with the two weaving-bars connected together by pivoted links, the hooked arms secured to said bars and the curved lever 'fulcrnmed to a bar secured to one of the weaving-bars, and its curved end pivoted to-a bar secured to the other weaving-bar, of the tension device consisting of three slats between which the wire strands pass and are held, screw-bolts connecting and securing the slats, and bindingnuts for regulating the tension on the wires, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DANIEL IIERSIIBERGER.

\Vitnesses:

J ACOB ULRICH, JOHN F. I'IEASTON.

IIO 

